Known as a lyrical painter, Brooks was one of the most technically accomplished — if not the most innovative — members of the New York School, and was featured in the famed Life Magazine photo of “The Irascibles” that accompanied its story on the so-called First Generation Abstract Expressionists. See Wikipedia The Irascibles. Brooks’ skilled, rhythmic compositions of abstract shapes, textures and color values are carefully orchestrated in shallow space on the canvas. And for an interesting take on the relationship between Brooks’ works and those of Dan Flavin, two artists in the Collection not normally connected but where there is in fact an aesthetic and perceptual “through-line,” see The Brooklyn Rail Art Seen.
